New Technologies and the Impact on Human Rights…

Rapid digitalisation, the dizzying speed of technological innovation and persistent digital inequality present complex challenges for the protection and respect of human rights both online and offline. This session aims to take a renewed look at the need to apply the precautionary principle to all technological innovations before solutions, services and applications are made available to users.

1. How can the use of existing international human rights standards and instruments by different stakeholders be improved as a mechanism for preventing and addressing human rights violations and abuses in the digital environment when designing and deploying new technologies?
2. As adoption of new technologies increases, how should the different stakeholders balance innovation, access and inclusion with the effective protection of human rights? (And what practical examples exist to illustrate that balance?)
3. How can policy makers develop and implement timely and effective responses to rapidly evolving and socially impactful technologies?

Speakers:

• Anita Gurumurthy, IT For Change
• Rodrigo Goñi, Member of Parliament, Uruguay
• Pierre Bonis, Director General of Afnic
• Peggy Hicks, Director, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR)
• Julian Theseira, Centre for AI and Digital Policy

Moderators:

• Allison Gilwald, ICT Research Africa
• Pablo Hinojosa, Independent